Statutory Requirements

It is an EYFS Statutory Requirement for childminders to have an understanding of the three Characteristics of Effective Learning (COEL) and to reflect on the ways in which children learn. The three COEL are explained in Development Matters and are as important to a child’s development as the learning and development areas. The three COEL are:

Playing and Exploring (engagement)

Active Learning (motivation)

Creating and Thinking Critically (thinking)

The three COEL support children’s learning across all the learning and development areas, so all childminders need to know what they are and more importantly how to promote them in the children you care for.

Articles

Understanding the COEL is vital for every childminder. Not only will you be expected to know this information during your Ofsted inspection, it is also a huge benefit to the children you look after if you can help them to acquire the skills in the Early Years that they will need to help them to succeed in school and become learners for life. [more]

Ever find yourself staring at that row of letters and boxes on your learning journey form that asks you to circle which Characteristic of Effective Learning (CEOL) you are seeing in your learning journey observation and feeling baffled? [more]